Top 10 Films of 2025

We’re a month into 2026 and so far this year hasn’t been great, especially in Minnesota.

So, I’m going to rewind the clock and go back to 2025 again, because, hey, it’s award season and we’re still celebrating movies from last year. I finally made it through all of the movies on my list of must sees, tacking on a couple international flicks at the end, and am ready to release my top 10.

Like always, I didn’t get to see every single movie released. But I feel I watched enough in 2025 to create a fair list. Plus, I am going to put out another piece covering the best documentaries from last year ahead of the Oscars.

But for now, here’s my best of the year recap, starting with those that didn’t make the Top 10 cut.

Honorable Mentions:

• Companion
• Hamnet
• K-Pop Demon Hunters
• The Karate Kid: Legends
• The Lost Bus
• Marty Supreme
• Nouvelle Vague
• Novocaine
• Predator: Badlands
• Sinners
• Thunderbolts
• Wicked For Good

10. Rosemead

Like most years, the No. 10 spot is always a tough one to fill because it’s the last pick before the doors close. So who gets in? I went with Rosemead, a fantastic and far overlooked drama from last year. It’s a film that stays with you after it ends because of its profound portrayal of a spiraling situation.

It’s a picture that explores trauma, mental illness, cultural stigmas, parenthood and immense feelings of desperation when a loved one is suffering. All of this is backed up by strong direction from Eric Lin, helming just his first feature, and spectacular acting by Lucy Liu.

9. Sorry, Baby

This film is considered the indie darling of 2025 and it’s for good reason. Eva Victor wrote, directed and starred in this moving feature of a survivor’s healing journey. Though it takes a bit of time to find its footing, “Sorry, Baby” steadily becomes one of the more captivating dramas of 2025 as it goes on.

What really works in the film’s favor is the grounded approach Victor took. It’s a slice-of-life portrayal digging into the human condition, where an audience gets to know the protagonist on a personal level through everyday moments and understand the ups and downs she experiences in her life after a sexual assault in college. Even with a few comedic beats that don’t fully work, “Sorry, Baby” is an effective movie worth someone’s time.

8. Rental Family

While there have been plenty of movies where a protagonist pretends to be someone they’re not, “Rental Family” still finds a way to take a unique twist on the idea. That was one of a few positives with this flick, which was another underrated piece from last year. It’s a stirring picture capturing the impacts of loneliness and importance of human interaction.

Even with a few cliches in how the film’s story plays out, the writing for both the dramatic and comedic moments power this one, as does the cast. Brendan Fraser, who’s having a great career resurgence, once again is able to show the mix of vulnerability and resolve he’s done many times in his career with the lead character. Mari Yamamoto, who plays an important side character, is also spectacular.

7. Wake Up Dead Man

While not a misfire, “Glass Onion” was a step down from 2019’s fantastic mystery “Knives Out.” I was happy to see the series return to form last year with the fantastic “Wake Up Dead Man.” What works in the latest flick’s favor is that it uses a similar blueprint to the original movie, and that is following a lovable, good-hearted underdog.

In this movie’s case, it’s the young priest Jud (Josh O’Connor), who is a character a person can really root for. Not only can a viewer support him, detective Benoit Blanc can play well off of him as well. The movie also benefits from a good mystery, a host of memorable suspects, sharp writing, commentary on the ties between community and religion, as well as some meaningful, heartfelt moments, such as a great one involving a phone call.

6. The Phoenician Scheme

Though his recent filmography hasn’t attracted the same type of award consideration as 2014’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Wes Anderson has put together a nice streak here in the 2020s with “The French Dispatch,” “Asteroid City” and “The Phoenician Scheme.” What’s noticeable about his style is the ability to incorporate real emotion and insight into humanity with his projects, while still having eccentricities and oddities all around.

That’s the case with the auteur’s latest, featuring a globe-trotting romp with a memorable trio full of flair, attention to detail and entertaining dialogue. Along the way, there’s a really good central character arc and some meaningful relationships explored.

5. Frankenstein

I wrote in my review that Guillermo del Toro was made to direct this film and the proof is in the pudding. “Frankenstein” is Gothically gorgeous and full of the bizarre and macabre, as well as heart and humanity around the concept of monsters. It’s the stuff del Toro shines with, and he nails it here.

It’s a familiar story, sure, and del Toro explores the timeless themes of messing with nature, morality in science and the human ego, but it’s all done in a fresh way with a distinct style and great attention to detail. The acting is also fantastic across the board.

4. Blue Moon

“Blue Moon” is an enchanting, delightful and moving cinematic portrait of a troubled artist. Every interaction between a great group of characters and the man at the film’s center, Lorenz Hart, has an immense richness thanks to a stellar script and phenomenal acting. Directed by Richard Linklater and written by Robert Kaplow, “Blue Moon” explores a sliver of a man’s life, yet explores all of the complexities therein.

The movie boasts Ethan Hawke giving one of the best performances of his career and the supporting cast is wonderful, too. Plus, the film’s set, costume and production design, as well as the cinematography, come together to capture the elegance and emotion of the evening portrayed.

3. Sentimental Value

Directed by Joachim Trier, who co-wrote with Eskil Vogt, “Sentimental Value” is a film that thoroughly explores how old wounds made from emotional hurt can run deep and sting well after scars form and fade. There’s a vulnerable realness in how this movie approaches the family dynamic at play here, and it makes for engrossing drama.

Along with superb writing and direction, the movie boasts a powerhouse when it comes to the cast. All of the acting here is award caliber, making for one of, if not the best ensembles of the year. Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård deserve a ton of credit for what they pull off in this picture.

2. Bugonia

If not for “The Naked Gun,” “Bugonia” may have taken the title as funniest movie of the year. However, its comedy wasn’t the only thing going for this phenomenal flick from director Yorgos Lanthimos and writer Will Tracy. Based on a South Korean picture, “Bugonia” is a fantastic, absurd dark comedy with sharp commentary and a powerful look at many layers of society.

The film is dripping with impressive satire, thoroughly exploring concepts of environmentalism, healthcare, capitalism and mistreatment by institutions, and how all of these can be destructive to a psyche. The film is also good at playing with power dynamics and imbalances.

Additionally, the flick looks great and features top tier performances from its two leads, Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. It’s No. 2 spot is only because the ending maybe could have used a couple tweaks.

1. No Other Choice

The best movie of 2025 came from overseas. “No Other Choice,” a  dark dramatic comedy, came from South Korea and was the best cinematic experience of the year. I was immediately, personally drawn to the movie, as it is about layoffs at a paper factory and I grew up in a town where that actually happened. But the film has many universal themes that are explored in elite fashion.

The rat race created by unemployment and pressures of unfettered capitalism, and the ripple effects that a layoff can create on family and community, are fantastically shown throughout this movie, all while a dark story is unfolding. Director Park Chan-wook, who also co-wrote the picture, deserves a ton of credit for the amazing way he blends tones, mixing laugh-out-loud moments with serious scenes where you find something humorous and disturbing all at once.

The cast is awesome, too. Lee Byung-hun is astonishing in the lead role, but the Son Ye-jin, who plays his wife, nearly steals the show with how good she is. The film is visually extraordinary as well, with a plethora of really interesting shots and impressive camerawork, as well as sensational editing.

This is 2025’s winning flick, and while it is set in South Korea, it is just as relevant in the United States or any country, all while delivering a thrilling, suspenseful and funny experience.